By Emily Nash

March 18, 2016

Prince Harry has opened up about his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who inspired much of his charity work and had many "special gifts." Ahead of following in her footsteps with a tour of Nepal this week, the 31-year-old shared his happiest memories of the mother he lost at just 12 years old.

"I hope she's looking down, you know, with tears in her eyes, being incredibly proud of what we've established, I suppose," he said. "I'm sure she's longing for me to have kids so she can be a grandmother again.

"I hope that everything we do privately and officially, that it makes her proud. I think losing your mother at such a young age does end up shaping your life massively. Of course, it does, and now I find myself trying to be there and give advice to other people who are in similar positions."

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"I'm sure she's longing for me to have kids so she can be a grandmother again," said Prince Harry of his late mum Diana

Harry said that he and his brother Prince William are determined to continue Diana's legacy by drawing attention to worthy causes.

"We will do everything we can to make sure that she's never forgotten and carry on all the special gifts, as such, that she had and that she portrayed while she was alive," he said. "I hope that a lot of my mother's talents are shown in a lot of the work that I do."

In a wide-ranging interview with Good Morning America to promote his Invictus 2016 Games in Florida this May, Harry also revealed his love of the lighter side of life, including being an uncle to Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

"You've got to have fun in life. Otherwise, wow, imagine life without fun," he said. "You've got to be taken seriously, but I hope that I'm a fun uncle."

The Prince said he "can't wait for the day" he becomes a father

Asked how he feels about becoming a father in future, he said: "I can't wait for the day. So, you know, it will be fantastic. I've got a kid inside of me. I want to keep that. I adore kids. I enjoy everything that they bring to the party. They just say what they think.

"Everyone needs a hug now and again and it just so happens that I've been told over and over again that I'm very good with hugs, which is great, good at giving hugs, which is fantastic.

"Being in a Prince role, you've got to shake hands. I would choose hugging over shaking hands most of the time – with people that I know, just before anyone gets any ideas!"

"You've got to have fun in life," said Harry. "Otherwise, wow, imagine life without fun"

He gave the interview in his mother's former sitting room at Kensington Palace, which now forms part of his team's offices. "It took a little bit of getting used to, not that we ever forget, we think about her every day," he admitted.

The Prince said his return to Walt Disney World in May for the Invictus Games would remind him of her again.

"It's one of my very, very happy memories, of going to Disney World with my mum," Harry said. "I went on Space Mountain 14 times. I was like, 'This is absolutely fantastic. This is the best thing ever.'

"There's all sorts of places over the world where we were very lucky to have those moments with our mother; and very, very happy memories."

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